Hello Sawatdee Friends...
The subject of "Arranging one's own funeral services & cremation" is currently being discussed on The Baht Stop board.
Pardon me for copying the thread here...but I believe the topic is important...and been on my mind.
http://www.baht-stop.com/forums/index.p ... topic=1361 .
I have started same posting here because I believe it is of importance to many of us.
This is a subject many of us have thought about or will be ...
and now that I am in Thailand 90% or more each year...
I have wondered what do I need to do to make sure my wishes are followed.
I remember attending the funeral services of our beloved "David in Pattaya".
He had both a Christian and Buddhist service - and both were held in the Wat Temple on So Pattaya Road.
The first plan was for friends to go to a Christian Church in Pattaya for the Christian services...
followed by all going to the Wat Temple for the Buddhist services.
On reflection ...I remember freinds telling me that the Buddhist Monk said - in effect -
"Why you do that? You are all invited to hold both services in our Wat Temple".
So simple and solution ..and so respectful of David and his Friends...especially during the hot season.
and a beautiful funeral rites - both Christian and Buddhist - were held in honor and memory of David.
He was cremated in the Buddhist Crematorium and his ashes collected the following day by his bf
and taken out and scattered over the sea the next day by his bf.
I have told my family and friends back in the USA...and Thai friends here...
I do not want to be brought back to the USA for burial or services.
I wish to have a Christian service for my Christian friends..
and A Buddhist Service followed by cremation - with my ashes spread across the sea by my bf.
Hopefully my wishes will be followed....as to what I need to do "in writing" I guess is another topic...
I do not as of yet have a Thai Will...and those are good in Courts and Probate ...much less for the funeral services...
but I surmise it is the will of the friends ..and my bf ...to respect my wishes...
and I trust that they will.
Any suggestions - much appreciated.
Thank you.
TJ